Typewriter desk table



NOV- 4, 1941- Y .1. B. slMoNs 21,261,299

TYPEWRITER DESK TABLE Filed Aug. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l El," v\ ai? Ea? 1% l- :if ig; T

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NOV 4, 1941 J. B. slMoNs TYPEWRITER DESK TABLE Y Filed Aug. 5, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 25968. ,63

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/ IIL] A Z7 @1e/zint NOV- 4, 1941- J. B. slMoNs TYPEWRITER DESK TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F'iled Aug. 5, 1939 OOO j'qyfl 116 Patented Nov. 4, 1941 13 Claims.

This invention relates to convertible articles of furniture and more particularly to a typewriter desk table intended for home or ofce use and designed to mount or receive a typewriter, writing board, stationery holders and a copy holder in a novel manner for convenient use.

The object of the invention is'to provide a novel and attractive article ofiurniture which houses accessories, such as a typewriter, stationery and a copy holder in convenient, readily accessible and compact form and which also includes a writing desk table board for use when typing and the normal table top or cover is open and raised to an upright position with the letter head holder and copy holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel constructionof desk table in which the parts may be wholly enclosed or stored when not in use, and which may be easily manipulated by opening or raising the table or desk top or cover, and which includes a novel arrangement and construction of accessories, such as envelope and paper holders, and a novel copy holder, as Well as a novel writing desk board and means for conveniently storing either the copy holder or the desk board within the compartment of the desk when not in use, and when the desk has the appearance of an attractive table of ornamental character.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of semi-collapsible and removable copy holder with means for raising the copy a degree determined by the degree of spacing of the lines of the matter to be copied on the typewriter, and whether typewritten, in script or printed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel desk which when closed, forms a writing desk and table, and which will enclose and accommodate therein, a typewriter, holders for envelopes, paper and bill heads or invoices of differentJ sizes as customarily used, and a copy holder adjustable or movable to progressive position above a sight strip to facilitate reading and copying thereof in typing, and in which the parts are mounted and accommodated within the cabinet part of the desk-table in a novel manner for convenient use and so as to be precluded from view when not in use by a rearrangement or shifting of certain parts or accessories easily manipulated.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter and be brought out more fully in the following specication, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the table;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 oi Fig. 1;l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the upper or cabinet part of the table, partly broken away and in section and with the table top or cover opened up;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a writing desk board used with the table;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 of a modified form of detachable board;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 1--1 'of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the copy holder detached from the table top, taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line Ill- IU of Fig. 4;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation taken on the line ll-II ofFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 4 with the front of the cabinet closed and the upper portion broken away and in section, showing the use of the writing desk board illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross section similar to Fig. 7, of the upper pari-I of the table cabinet, taken on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 withA the table top closed and writing desk board stored away; and

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on the line lli- I5 of Fig. 12, with the table top closed and the copy holder housed in position above the typewriter.

Referring to the drawings, the typewriter desk table also includes means for housing or accommodating a number of accessories and may be used for the home or ofce, especially where it is desired to economize in space and give a homey atmosphere, particularly when the article of furniture is disposed in the form of a table.

designates the desk table in its entirety, having the supporting legs 2| and a cabinet or compartment portion at the top designated at 22 designed to contain the accessories as will be later explained. The cabinet has a bottom or base 23, a back wall 24, a front wall 25 with a hinged section or door 26 which may be at either side, but is shown at the left hand side and may be held closed in any suitable manner by fasteners or the like. The door 26 is hinged to the inner edge of the right hand portion 25 of the front wall or panel as at 2l. The sides of the compartment forming the sides or ends of the table are designated at 28, these walls having substantially triangular or V-shaped cutouts 29 communicating with or extending into their upper edges and adjacent their rear ends with a long gradually sloping bottom wall or edge at the front and a steeply inclined or sloping rear edge but preferably with the bottom portions curved or cut on a radius to accommodate the platen or paper of a typewriter, as will be later described.

A pair of correspondingly shaped sections 30 are adapted to enter and occupy or close the cutouts 29. These sections depend from a hinged top or cover 3| provided for the desk and forming a table when closed, said top or cover projecting at its edges from the vertical walls of the cabinet to overhang the same. The top 3| is hinged to the back 24 as indicated at 32 to move to an upright or slightly backwardly inclined position when open as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings and is held in this position by a brace or articulated joint 33 comprising lower and upper links 34 and 35, the lower link being pivoted to one side wall, as indicated at 36 and the upper link being pivoted at its upper end to one of the sections 30. This structure is the same at both sides so that one brace is connected to each section 30 adjacent their forward upper corners with reference to the closed positions thereof when the desk top or cover is down in closed position for use as a table. The links 34 and 35 are pivotally connected at their inner or contiguous ends as at 38 and the adjacent end of one link shown as the link 34 has an extension 39 forming a limiting or stop lug to engage the adjacent edge portion of the link to prevent the foldable braces from moving beyond a rectilinear supporting position or over the dead center and insuring that they will break forwardly and downwardly and fold within the compartment 43 just inside the end or side walls 28 as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.

Stops or cushions 40 are provided either on the back wall adjacent to the top edge thereof to engage the projecting cover or on the adjacent bottom face of the projecting edge portion of the top 3| to engage the back wall 24 when the top is raised to an upright position together with the braces to prevent strain on the hinges and support the top in such position as well as to limit such movement.

The hinged section or door 26 closes one side of the compartment 43 but may swing forwardly and backwardly over and against the half section front wall 25 as seen in Fig. 4, suitable means being provided, if desired to hold the door 26 closed as well as to open it. The door 26 has an envelope and blotter container 4| mounted on its inner face so that the pockets 42 thereof of different sizes for containing different standard sized envelopes, etc., will be exposed at one side, shown as the right hand side for convenient access and use. The left hand portion 43 of the desk compartment of the cabinet between the bottom or base 23 thereof and the top 3| is adapted to accommodate a typewriter 44 preferably of the portable or other suitable type, which may be held in position and prevented from shifting by means of blocks 45 on the bottom 22 at the back and sides of the typewriter frame. Of course, other suitable means may be employed for holding the typewriter 44 which is shown in position to indicate how it is accommodated and has the keys 46 to operate the usual type bars and levers, a laterally slidable carriage 4'| and a platen or impression roller 48 provided with operating means including knobs or nger pieces 49. The ends of the platen and paper as mounted in the carriage and extending upwardly in acute angled relation are accommodated in, and may extend through, the cutout 29 at one side of the cabinet, shown as the left hand side, depending upon which side is used to mount the typewriter, that is for a person who works on the right hand side or one who works on the left hand side.

In Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown a slidable writing desk board 50 adapted for use as a desk top at one side of the typewriter to support papers, files, etc. This board has mounted on its underside a pair of parallel brackets 5| adjacent its opposite edges, the brackets having strips 52 attached to the bottom face of the board and reinforcing the same as well as preventing warping and to give strength thereto. These brackets have bearing sleeves 53 slidable on the upper and lower horizontal guide rods 54 forming tracks or guideways for the board and mounted in brackets 55 at the back or ends of the cabinet. The writing desk board 50 which is slid from its normal position over the typewriter to the other side of the compartment 43 to permit access to the typewriter 44, has its opposite side edges provided with cutouts or recesses 56 to accommodate the braces 33 in the extension and folding or breaking thereof in the opening and closing of the desk top or cover 3| as it is thought will be readily apparent and so that these parts will not be exposed exteriorly to render the device unsightly.

A stationery holder 51 is provided on the bottom of the top 3| to one side of the longitudinal center of the compartment centered above the wall 25 and this holder is provided with a plurality of pockets 58 of different depths to take legal and letter size paper sheets or bill heads which are conveniently accessible at their projecting top edges when the table top is open.

A copy holder 59 is provided in a similar relation on the opposite side of the longitudinal center of the top 3| and has side rails 60 and 5| which are secured by screws or other fastenings. The side rail 6| has an enlarged upper portion or corner extension 62 and the rails are secured to a back plate 63 mounted on the under face of the table top. A bottom plate 64 is mounted at the bottom of the copy holder in a substantially horizontal position.

An adjustable cushion bolt 89 is supported on the bottom plate 64, being held and rendered adjustable by a nut 90 on the bolt beneath the plate so that the tension of a spring 9| may be adjusted.

Pockets |04 are also provided on the under surface of the top 3| and plates |05 are attached to the top in counter-sunken position over the lower portions 0f the pockets |04 to receive the free ends of angular bracket arms |06 which are clamped to the bolts 89 by the nuts 90 and formed as parts of the bottom plate 64. These bracket arms are offset rearwardly and form a hinge by inserting the ends in the pockets |04 in back of the plates |05 to permit angular movement of the copy holder with reference to the under face of the top 3| which becomes the front of an upright supporting member when the top is open. Pockets |01 are also provided at the under surface of the table top 3| at the opposite or top edge thereof and these pockets or depressions accommodate bearing plates |08 to which links |09 are pivoted. These links are designed to engage over hooks ||0 at the back of the copy holder and projecting above the' top edge thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 9. By employing 'an open hook-the links' may be readily disengaged therefrom so as to permit the pivot brackets |96 to be lifted out of their hinged connections or pockets in'A back of the plates I l|15 so that the copy holder may be st ored in the desk compartment or cabinetportion of the device or in any other suitable place.

vIn the modied form of the device, as shown in Figs. 6 and 12 to 15, inclusive,the construction isv the'fsame as that previously described except as` tothe board 59. Instead of having the board slidable on rods 54, it is mounted on guide strips I I and I I2 at the front and back of the cabinet compartment on the walls 24, 25and 26 land theA ends of these strips forming guideways or tracks are spaced apart as at H3 for considerable; distance and the ends beveled to facilitate insertion. The severedv portions IIA ofthe strips III` permit the door 26 to be opened andthe writing desk board II5, corresponding to the board 59, to be moved from guide strips II2 onto guide strips I I I when the hinged top or cover 3 I is open with the front and top of the compartment uncovered by its door 26 unobstructed, or tobefinserted through the openings or spaces I I3 into the compartment in back of the wall 25 which may also accommodate the copy holder as well as the paper container or holder 51. The board ||5 is provided with a cutout edge ||6 to accommodate the adjacent articulated joint or brace 33 in the same manner yas the cutouts 56 although the board is not usually shifted to the left hand side lor whatever side the typewriter is mounted in. While not necessary, the detachable hinge connections at the bottom of the copy holder may be omitted and substituted by hinges |I1 so that the copy holder may merely be collapsed against the bottom face of the desk top 3| and accommodated above the typewriter or in the opposite compartment as shown' in Fig. l5 o f the drawmgs.

Fig. 14 shows the board |I5 at the bottom of the compartment resting on'the bottom wall 23 of the shallow cabinet 22 in the corresponding compartment formed thereby or on suitable cushions therein provided for thispurpose.

In the use of thek typewriter desk table constituting the present invention, when the same is in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a table is presented for various uses and formsan attractive article of furniture. When it is desired to use the' device as a typewriter desk, the top or cover 3| is raised to the substantially vertical, upright or slightly backwardly inclined position shown in Figs. 4 and 7 in which position it is held by the braces 33. In the collapsed form, the copy holder 59 is removed from the cover by disconnecting the links |09 from the hooks Ill) and then lifting the pivot brackets |96 out of the retaining sockets produced by the recesses |94 and plates |65. This is due to the fact that the copy holder will not be accommodated in the cabinet compartment 43 above the typewriter 49. When the typewriter is in use, the front of the cabinet is opened by swinging the door 26 on its hinges 21 against the front of the wall 25 and the board 50 is shifted from a position overthe typewriter to the position shown in Fig. 4. By moving this board 59 over the typewriter, the compartment in back ofthe stationary front wall as distinguished from the compartment in back of the hinged section `2t, is accessible and the copy holder may be inserted into the right opened, the paper holder 51 andthe envelope holder 4| will bein accessible positions above and below the board 50 for' convenient access to stationery while using the typewriter, and the board ied, from the sheet.` The sheet, together with its vertically slidable holder or boardV 61, may be raised merely by turning the' operatingy member 19 the desired number of spacesaccording to the" advancement of the teeth of the rack and pinion and the ratchet mechanism will hold the same in adjusted position; By releasing the ratchet, the

movable section of the copy holder will beallowed to drop by gravity cushioned by the springs 9|, the weight 69 `serving to insure that'the board will returnA toa lowered "position.` Obviously thev parts may be closed or returned to theroriginal positions for use as a' table and thecover closed by breaking the braces orarticulated joints 33, which will bev accommodated within the cabinet as described. The cutouts 56 will accommodate v j the sections v3|), will be closed so as not to mar n of the compartment so that the opposite or left hand portion of the compartment may accommodate the copy holder. The parts are s o'positioned that when the stationery holder 51 is lowered into the cabinet as shown in'Figs. 3 and .14, thepaper will be retained therein and against accidentally falling out. f Y vWhile I `have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying lmy invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without 'departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of 'such variations and modifications as come within the. scope oi the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what I` claim as new andde-sire to secure by `Letters Patent, vis:r

l. A typewriter desk table including a cabinet forming ka single top compartment transversely with a front opening at one side, a board hori-` adapted to be .opened to and held in an upright position at the back of the cabinet.

2.- A typewriter desk table` including a cabinet forming a compartment with a `front opening half way across the compartment, a flat writing member horizontally slidable over the compartment to cover the compartment half way across the same at either side and provided with means whereby it is slidably supported to leave the front and top portion ofthe compartment unobstructed at its open end only when the member is moved therefrom, a hinged cover over the compartment and board, and braces between the cover an-d cabinet.

3- A typewriter desk table including acabinet supported in anelevated position and forming a compartment open at the top and with a front door openingat one side, a door for said opening, a board movable horizontally within the cabinet over the top of the compartment, means for slidably supporting the board at its rear edge whereby the'front and top of the compartment are unobstructed at its -open endlonly-when the board ismoved therefrom, ahinged cover over the cabinet compartment and board vvand collapsible braces between the cover and cabinet and foldable into the latter below the board.

4. A typewriter desk table including a cabinet supported in an elevated position and forming a compartment open at the top and with a front door opening at one side thereof, a door for said opening arranged to open against the other side, a board movable over the `top of the compartment, means movably supporting the board for movement at either side of the compartment wherebywhen the-board is moved yaway from the front door opening the front and top of the compartment at said opening are unobstructed, a hinged cover over the cabinet compartment and board and collapsible braces between the cover and cabinet and foldable into the latter, said board having a side recess for accommodating a brace in moving into the compartment below the board when the cover is closedor out of the compartment when the cover is opened.

5. A typewriter desk table including a cabinet I supported in an elevated position and forming a compartment open at the top and with a front door opening at one side, a door for said opening and adapted to open toward the other side, a :f

jacent thereto unobstructed, a hinged cover over ,f

the cabinet compartment and board and collapsible braces between the cover and cabinet and foldable into the latter, said board having edge recesses through which the braces are movable when the cover is closed or opened.

6. A desk table including a shallow cabinet at the top with sides, front, back and bottom walls and open at the top, a portion of the front adapted to be opened, a shiftable board over one-half of the top of the cabinet compartment for positioning at either side thereof and supported entirely at the back of the compartment whereby the open portion thereof is unobstructed at the front and top when the board is shifted to the other side, said cabinet adapted to receive a typewriter at one side and a cover over the open top adapted to carry accessories, at least one of which is movable into the other side of the compartment with relation to the typewriter when the board is shifted to the typewriter side of the compartment.

7. A typewriter desk including a shallow cabinet having a corresponding compartment open at the top and closed elsewhere, a door covering one part of the compartment at the front and adapted to uncover the same, a board provided with means whereby it is slidably supported at its rear edge whereby the front and top portion of the compartment adjacent the door are unobstructed when the board is moved therefrom, said cabinet having side walls, at least `one of which is provided with a cut-out through which the carriage, platen and operating knob of the typewriter supported in the cabinet may project, a top hinged tothe cabinet and having a portion normal thereto across a portion only of its depth adapted to extend into a cutout to render said wall continuous and unbroken, and means between the cabinet and the cover to hold the cover in a substantially upright position.

8. A typewriter desk including a shallow cabinet havinga corresponding compartment open at the top and closed elsewhere, a front door for half of the compartment adapted to uncover the same, a board covering half of the compartmentvat the top, brackets at the bottom and rear of the board, guides across the compartment near the back thereof on which said brackets are slidably mounted, said board when shifted away from the door opening adapted to leave the front and top of the compartment in rear thereof unobstructed, said cabinet having side walls, at least one of which is .provided with a cutout through which the carriage platen and operating knob of the typewriter supported in the cabinet and stationery therein may project, a top for the cabinet and having a depending extension section corresponding to the shapel of the cut-out adapted to extend into the cutout, and collapsible braces between the cover and cabinet, the under face of the top adapted to mount a copy holder.

9. A typewriter desk table comprising a shallow cabinet having supporting legs, said cabinet having a compartment extending the entire length thereof and being open at the top and having a front door opening at one side of its longitudinal center, a door for said opening, a cover over the cabinet compartment, a board supported near the top of the compartment at the back for horizontal movement within the cabinet compartment and below the cover whereby the top and front of the compartment are unobstructed at said one side when the board is moved to the other side of the compartment and the cover and door are open and means to hold the cover in a substantially upright open position.

10. A typewriter desk table comprising a shallow cabinet having corner supporting legs and a compartment extending the entire length thereof, said compartment being open at the top and having a front door opening, a cover for the cabinet compartment, upper and lower guides within the cabinet at the back and a horizontal writing member having portions slidable on said guides and movable to occupy either half portion of the open top of the cabinet compartment.

11. A desk table including a shallow cabinet with sides, front, back and bottom walls and a compartment open at the top, said front having a portion adapted to be opened at one side therecf and closed at the other side, a horizontal board shiftable horizontally over the width of the cabinet compartment for positioning at either side thereof, horizontal supports for said board, said cabinet adapted to receive a typewriter at one side of the compartment, said horizontal supports adapted to leave the top over the typewriter and Aopen front portion unobstructed when the board in rear of the front of the compartment Where- 'by the front and top of the open portion of the compartment are unobstructed when the board is shifted therefrom, said cabinet adapted to receive a typewriter at one side of the compartment and a cover for the top of the cabinet adapted to carry a copy holder above the type- Writer.

13. A desk table including a shallow cabinet with sides, front, back and bottom walls and open at the top, a portion of the front adapted to be opened, a shiftable board over one-half of the top of the cabinet compartment for positioning at either side thereof and supported entirely at the back of the compartment whereby When the portion of the front is opened the open side thereof is unobstructed at the front and top when the board is shifted to the other side, said compartment adapted to receive a typewriter at onev side, a cover over the open top and accessories carried by the cover at least one of which is movable into the other side of the compartment with relation to the typewriter when the board is shifted to the open side of the compartment.

JOSEPH B. SIMO-NS. 

